Ra’Shede Hageman DT Minnesota #99

Size/Athleticism: Prototypical size and impressive strength. Has experience lining up as the nose tackle and a three-tech in both 3-4 and 4-3 base sets. Originally recruited as a tight end.

Run Defense: Adequate strength to anchor at the point of attack. Takes on a lot of double-teams and is capable of holding his ground, although he lacks the dominant strength to create a disruption against the double-team. Quick off the snap and is capable of splitting the gaps and getting into the backfield. Marginal change-of-direction ability, even for a guy his size, and doesn’t make a ton of plays in the backfield unless the ball carrier is trapped. Makes very few plays in pursuit and only gives a margain effort to chase down the ball carrier.

Pass Rush: Can be extremely explosive off the snap, but shows somewhat inconsistent effort. Does a great job converting speed to power. When linemen attempt to deep set against him he’s capable of generating momentum and delivering a devestating punch. Long arms and does a nice job getting them up into passing lanes. Frequently double-teamed and does a nice job holding his ground, although he rarely splits the double team and isn’t quite dominant enough to quickly shed the double-team and bounce out to a new angle. Struggles to consistently play with leverage and gets stood up and thrown off balance by more polished offensive linemen.

Intangibles: Team captain. Raised in a difficult situation until his mother was arrested and he was found in a crack house closet at the age of four. Put into foster care and eventually adopted. Stayed at Minnesota rather than accept other offers in order to remain close to his adoptive family. Suspended for three games for academic reasons in 2010. Arrested for misdemeanor disorderly conduct at a bar in 2012.

Durability: No known issues. 26 starts over final three seasons.

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Comments: Hageman is a physical specimen who is still getting by with just his raw tools. He needs to refine his technique in order to reach an elite level, but all the talent is there. He explodes off the snap and has the long arms and violent hands to develop into a dominant interior pass-rusher. He can be controlled if the offensive line focuses on him, but even then he’s impacting the game by opening things up for his teammates. He’s not nearly polished enough to be labeled a sure thing, but his upside will almost certainly land him in the first round.